The humpback whale “Timmy” has been in this flooded barge since Wednesday morning. Now he is to be released in the North Sea.Image: DPA
The ship convoy to release the humpback whale “Timmy,” which has stranded several times on the German Baltic Sea coast, is on course for the North Sea early Saturday morning.
05/02/2026, 06:5205/02/2026, 06:52
The tug, the so-called barge with the whale and the accompanying ship continued to sail north of the northernmost tip of Denmark towards Norway, as was observed by the ship tracking service Vesselfinder.
The whale was to be released at a publicly unknown location in the North Sea. As darkness fell on Friday evening, the animal was still in the barge – a barge without its own propulsion that is towed by the tugboat.
The convoy had to change course on Friday morning immediately at the crossing between the Baltic and North Seas due to the high waves and initially drove back towards the south. The barrier net on the barge was removed during this time, but the whale was not released. In the afternoon the course towards the north was resumed, and in the following hours the ships passed the transition from the Baltic to the North Sea near the Danish town of Skagen.
On Friday morning, the “Fortuna B” had to temporarily travel south again.Image: https://www.vesselfinder.com
Members of the responsible private initiative confirmed on Friday afternoon that every kilometer towards the North Sea counts. The humpback whale, which was around twelve meters long, had been lying off the island of Poel near Wismar for four weeks. Against the advice of many scientists, specialist institutions and animal protection organizations, the private initiative has been trying since mid-April to rescue the whale in order to bring it alive to the North Sea or the Atlantic.
Last Tuesday it was possible to maneuver the humpback whale, which had been stranded on the Baltic Sea coast for weeks, into the barge. This water-filled cargo ship is towed by the multi-purpose ship “Fortuna B”.
Stranding for weeks, controversial rescue operation
The bull whale, which is around four to six years old, was first spotted in the Baltic Sea at the beginning of March. He spent around two thirds of the following 60 days in shallow water zones – most recently four weeks off the island of Poel near Wismar. On Tuesday, the approximately twelve meter long and weakened whale was maneuvered into the water-filled steel barge and has since been transported towards the North Sea.
The private initiative acted against the express advice of numerous scientists, specialist institutions and animal protection organizations. The International Whaling Commission (IWC) also spoke out against the transport. The animal protection organization Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC) pointed out that ignoring such recommendations could be “politically and legally problematic”.
Hardly any chances of getting to a reception center
The private initiative had discussed a sanctuary as a plan B if the whale was too weak to be released. According to the WDC, there are stations for small whales in Europe, but facilities with the capacity and experience for a humpback whale of this size are “neither known in Europe nor worldwide”. In general, large whales are not brought into human care. WDC also emphasized that, in most known cases, animals once placed in captivity can no longer be released into the wild.
Marine biologist Fabian Ritter also expressed doubts as to whether the whale could still swim and dive normally after the long lying time. Power supplies were found in its mouth, which also affects its ability to eat.
Denmark doesn’t help
If “Timmy” were to get stranded again after his release, no help would be expected in Denmark. The Danish Ministry of the Environment announced that it generally does not rescue stranded marine mammals. Strandings are “a naturally occurring phenomenon” that should not be interfered with. (mke/sda/dpa)